







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | |
| Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | |
| Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| Hello mate, where are you? | |
| Then people come and complain to me! | |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| Hm, it's comes to roughly £150 a week, it's about the same. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |